X-35C Moves

The X-35C was moved inside the new exhibit building at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum outside of NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, on 1 December. The X-35C is one of two demonstrators built and flown during the concept development phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program in 2000–2001. The aircraft (the original X-35A was modified into the X-35B; the X-35C was separate) were used to validate specific propulsion and design features incorporated on today’s F-35 Lightning II. Test pilots made seventy-three flights in the X-35C during the Concept Development phase. Its last flight occured on 10 March 2001. The X-35C was cleaned up and painted before the move. It was previously on display outside the museum at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.